WASHINGTON DC, USA – A shocking discovery at one of the nation’s most iconic buildings has officials scrambling for answers. Cocaine was found in the White House’s ground floor on Sunday, July 3, 2023 near an area where visitors are instructed to leave their cellphones during West Wing tours, according to three sources close to the investigation.
The discovery of the substance led to a temporary evacuation as authorities moved in to ascertain the nature and potential threat of the material.
Preliminary tests indicated that the substance was cocaine, a confirmation that was further solidified by a final test.
The U.S. Secret Service is leading the investigation into how this illegal drug found its way inside the highly-secured premises of the White House.
President Joe Biden was not in the White House at the time of the discovery, as he was spending the weekend at Camp David, and did not return to the White House until Tuesday morning.
White House staffers have the authority to offer guests tours of the West Wing, which usually take place during evenings or weekends.
The visitors must undergo security screening prior to entering the White House complex, and are then asked to place their cellphones in small containers before starting the tour. Officials have confirmed that the cocaine was discovered in close proximity to these containers.
During the tours, guests have access to the ground floor and first floor of the West Wing, and they are able to catch glimpses of the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, and the Roosevelt Room.
Secret Service spokesman, Anthony Guglielmi, announced that the D.C. fire department had determined the substance did not pose a threat.
He added that “an investigation into the cause and manner” of how the substance made its way into the White House is currently underway.
The presence of an illegal drug in the highly-secured White House raises serious concerns regarding security protocols and potential vulnerabilities.
This incident is bound to invite scrutiny on the screening processes and the general security apparatus of one of the world’s most sensitive sites.
As the investigation unfolds, many will be closely watching for updates and explanations.
